Contemporary artist Mike Kelley found dead, aged 57

Multimedia artist Mike Kelley has been found dead at his Los Angeles home at the age of 57.

Reuters reports that authorities are investigating the possibility that Kelley took his own life. His body was discovered on Tuesday (January 31).

Paul Schimmel, who is chief curator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Contemporary Art, told the news agency: "It's a terrible loss for his family and friends and for the artists of this community, which he's done so much to change and enrich.

"I saw Mike just before the holidays and had just a wonderful evening with him. He was thinking about important opportunities for change in his life going forward, so this all comes as a terrible, tragic shock."

Born in 1954 in Wayne, Detroit, Kelley studied at the University of Michigan and California Institute of the Arts. He worked across a variety of media, most notably sculpture and multimedia installations, and created a feature-length musical called Day is Done in 2009.

The artist also designed the artwork for Sonic Youth's 1992 album Dirty, which features a number of knitted toys.

Kelley was also a member of noise-rock band Destroy All Monsters during the mid-1970s, leaving the band in 1976 to pursue his art career.

A statement from Kelley's studio Gagosian Gallery released to the Los Angeles Times read: "Mike was an irresistible force in contemporary art. ... We cannot believe he is gone. But we know his legacy will continue to touch and challenge anyone who crosses its path.